Jake continued his healing, his focus unwavering as he aimed to level up his Healing Touch to 5. At his current skill level, he can now heal small injuries in seconds that once took minutes, moving from one hunter to the next.
As he approached the next injured, Chae Nayun hurried over. "My mana's recovered, so I can take over now. Thank you for covering for me," she said with a warm smile. "Why don't you take a break and recover your mana first?"
Jake gave her a polite nod. "I can still keep going for a bit more, Ms. Chae," he replied, determined to push himself just a bit further.
Instead, she handed him three middle-grade mana recovery potions. "Here," she said with a concerned smile, "don't hesitate to take these if you're low on mana."
Jake's eyes widened in surprise at the gesture. Middle-grade mana potions??! and three at that...
"Thank you!" he said, managing a genuine smile as he pocketed the potions. "I'll put them to good use."
As he turned back to his work, Jake's resolve only grew. With these, I can hit that level-up sooner than I thought.
Working alongside Nayun, Jake couldn't help but watch her technique intently. Closely watching as Nayun performed her spells, observing her technique, and taking mental notes.
She whispered what seemed like quiet prayers and incantations, and immediately, a soft greenish-yellow magic circle appeared beneath her patients, glowing with energy. A cross of radiant light emerged on her forehead, and Jake was mesmerized by the scene.
Her healing seemed almost holy. "Whoa... it's like a healing sanctuary. How beautiful," he thought to himself.
Maybe, just maybe, I could recreate that… Jake mused, intrigued by the concept. Although he didn't fully understand the mechanics of magic circles and incantations yet, he admired how it allowed her to heal multiple people simultaneously.
An idea began to form in his mind. Using Verdant Growth, I might be able to connect the healing energy of Healing Touch through the roots and leaves of plants, spreading it like a field of restoration and creating a similar effect to Nayun's.
He pictured a circle of grass and flowers, each blade and petal acting as a conductor for healing energy, directed by his mana. But as tempting as it was to experiment with this idea, Jake knew it could be risky here. It would be too obvious, and if anyone figures out I was behind Hyun-Woo's 'accident,' that would be trouble I don't need.
Better to practice this later in peace, he decided, shaking off the thought for now.
Watching Nayun's wide-area healing spell cover multiple hunters, Jake felt a surge of pressure. He needed the injured hunters to keep leveling up his Healing Touch, and Nayun's method, though slower, was reaching more people at once.
Determined, Jake focused on speed. He poured more mana into his Healing Touch, intensifying the regenerative energy for faster, more precise recovery. Each wound knitted together with precision as his mana honed in on cellular infusion and repair.
I may not cover as many people, but what I lack in spread, I make up for in power, he thought, doubling his pace.
Nayun glanced over and smiled knowingly, noticing Jake's drive. So, she's really here to sharpen her healing abilities, she thought, recognizing his dedication. It's admirable, and it benefits everyone here. Experience truly is the foundation of mastery.
"So, she's really here to sharpen her healing abilities," she murmured to herself, amused. Not a bad idea. Killing two birds with one stone, she thought, her chant never faltering as she focused on her spell.
As Jake and Chae Nayun worked, a tense crack filled the air. The space near the reception area shattered like glass, and Han Ji-Hoon stepped through, visibly irritated as he came to a halt behind Kang Ho.
Kang Ho turned to him, slightly taken aback. "So, did you finish your 'task' with the association? I told you no—."
Ji-Hoon's glare hardened. "Don't ask. I'm already in a bad mood. I couldn't access any of her files—damn it! Not just hers, but all data about the three survivors!"
Kang Ho's face fell seriously, both shocked and confused. "You're saying all their data was sealed? Only the president... has the authority to do that. But why?"
Their voices lowered, speaking in hushed, serious tones, but the weight of their conversation hung in the air.
Meanwhile, Jake focused entirely on his progress, and muttered to himself, "This is taking too long. I should find another method." His mind spun with ideas as he thought of an efficient way to heal multiple hunters. Another way without using Verdant Growth...
Trying to clear his mind, Jake turned to Chae Nayun. "Ms. Chae, I'm going to rest for a bit," he said, stepping aside. She nodded, offering a gentle smile.
Jake took a deep breath and slipped into a meditative state. After uncorking a bottle of mid-grade potion, he drank half of it deeply, letting the mana wash through him.
Gradually, he felt his reserves refill, and he pushed further, concentrating on compressing the mana tightly within his core. His mana was building, swirling into a potent reservoir he could access with even greater precision.
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[ You have completely recovered your mana. ]
...
[ Due to consumption... you have gained +1 Magic Power. ]
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Jake savored the last few drops of the potion, feeling the potency seep into his system. He focused intensely, narrowing his mana pores to contain the surging energy from the potion, directing every bit of mana inward.
Even though it wasn't quite as potent as the high-grade potion, he could still feel the gradual increase in his mana reserves with each sip.
_______________________
[ You have gained +1 Magic Power. ]
...
[ You have gained +2 Magic Power. ]
...
[ You have gained +1 Magic Power. ]
...
_______________________
[ Quest Complete: Rebuilding the Fragment of the Former Power ]
[ Mana pores will now revert to their original state. ]
_______________________
Jake's satisfaction was brief as he watched another notification appear. What luck. To think the bonus effects would fade now, but I did gain a lot, he thought, slightly disappointed.
Tucking the remaining potions into his bag, he resolved to save them for emergencies.
With a deep breath, he pushed those thoughts aside. The meditation earlier had sparked an idea—a method of healing that would allow him to distribute energy efficiently to multiple people at once.
If I create a compressed orb of healing energy using Healing Touch and thread it to each hunter... sort of like a healing IV fluid that could drip-feed them with healing energy... This might actually be doable, he thought, excitement bubbling within him as he eagerly anticipated the experiment.
Eager to test his theory, Jake settled on the ground, palms facing forward in a meditative posture. With a deep breath, he activated Basic Meditation to sharpen his focus, and then he called upon Healing Touch, envisioning the healing energy turning into a concentrated orb in his palm in a matter of seconds.
The sphere of greenish energy felt dense and potent, an encouraging sign. This is much easier than before, Jake thought, drawing on his prior experience with mana compression. He marveled at the weight of the condensed healing energy, which shimmered softly in the dim light.
Now came the tricky part: extending tiny tendrils from the orb toward the nearby injured hunters. He visualized the condensed sphere transforming into malleable strands that could connect to the wounds.
Focusing on one individual first, he directed his energy inward, imagining the strands reaching out and binding to the hunter's injury.
The initial attempts were shaky, the threads quivering and almost collapsing under the pressure of his will. Stay steady, he urged himself, breathing rhythmically. With every heartbeat, he felt his control improve, the tendrils gaining strength and stability.
After what felt like hours, he succeeded as the green ethereal energy began to flow smoothly from the orb, enveloping the hunter's wound in a warm embrace of healing energy.
Whew, that was nerve-wracking. To think it required more focus than I thought. I should practice more, Jake muttered to himself, a mix of relief and determination washing over him.
The moment he succeeded in stabilizing the flow, the system chimed in with a notification that filled him with exhilaration.
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[ You have applied your knowledge effectively. Gained +4 Intelligence, +6 Wisdom. ]
[ You have gained enough proficiency. Healing Touch has reached Level 5. ]
_______________________
Even after accomplishing his goal, Jake continued practicing with the healing orbs. And in just a short time, he could now fully heal three to five people at the same time.
With a determined stance, he stood up and extended both hands forward, summoning his energy once more. This time, he created two orbs of concentrated healing energy. Strands connected to six hunters, with ethereal tendrils slowly wrapping around their injuries—all to test his limits.
It was successful. He felt more confident and decided to speed things up.
With each passing moment, the varied injuries began to heal: cuts sealed, bruises faded, and abrasions smoothed over. The relief on the hunters' faces assured Jake that this technique was effective.
I should at least name this... uhm, what would be a good name? he thought, pausing. After a moment of consideration, he decided, okay, I'll name it Orb of Lifeweaving Threads.
Suddenly, the system chimed in.
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[ 'Orb of Lifeweaving Threads' has been registered under the skill, Healing Touch ]
_______________________
Jake's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected that a technique he'd created would become an official skill. As he made his way toward Ms. Chae, he decided to confirm it by whispering "status."
_______________________
Healing Touch (Skill Level 5 - 21%)
----➤ Orb of Lifeweaving Threads
_______________________
Whoa... it's really registered. To think this nonchalant system has more uses than I thought, he mused, covering his smile with his hand. Then I should be able to activate it just by saying its names, right?
Stopping in his tracks, Jake decided to test it out. "Orb of Lifeweaving Threads," he muttered silently. Instantly, he felt the technique activate with ease as a green, glowing orb formed in his hands. His grin grew wider, pleased with his success.